NAD+ is a ubiquitous coenzyme central to glycolysis, TCA cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation, and is a substrate for sirtuins and PARPs. Levels decline with age, impacting energy, DNA repair, redox balance, inflammation, and cognition; replenishment aims to restore cellular function and longevity pathways.
NAD+
Overview
Benefits
- Anti-aging support
- Brain protection
- Metabolic health
- Heart health
- Muscle recovery
- Addiction recovery support
Consider This Peptide If You Want To
- Support cellular energy and mitochondrial function
- Enhance longevity, cognition, and DNA repair
Dosage & Administration
Dosage Guidelines
Recommended Dosage
• Amount:25 mg
• Frequency:twice weekly
• Duration:8 week
• Rest Period:8 week
• Time of Day:morning
• Ingestion:subcutaneous
Administration Routes:SubcutaneousIntravenous
Research Findings on Dosage:
• Subcutaneous Injection:
◦ Commonly Reported Dosage: 25-100 mg as needed
◦ Duration: 5--10 days loading phase to rapidly boost levels, followed by a maintenance phase (2--3x per week or as needed for energy and longevity).
▪ Note: 8-12 week cycles with 6-8 weeks off is a popular alternative protocol.
• Intravenous Injection:
◦ Low-Dose: 250--500 mg (General Wellness & Energy)
◦ High-Dose: 750--1,000 mg (Fatigue, Addiction Recovery, Severe Burnout)
◦ Duration: Daily IVs for 5--10 sessions (detox, addiction recovery, chronic fatigue).
• Maintenance: 1--4 IVs per month.
• Administration Notes:
◦ Low dose: 10-25 mg
◦ Moderate dose: 25-50 mg
◦ Basic energy: 50-75 mg
◦ Fatigued/Bad night sleep: 100-150 mg
◦ Sleep-deprived: 150+ mg (200 mg MAX)
▪ Some individuals only supplement with NAD+ for an immediate boost when experiencing low energy
◦ IV Best Practices: Slow infusions (2+ hours) help prevent nausea and side effects.
◦ Morning/early afternoon injections are ideal to boost energy. Injections administered later in the day may interfere with sleep
Mechanism of Action
Mechanism of Action
How this peptide works in the body
Cellular Metabolism:
NAD+ functions as a redox coenzyme, cycling between oxidized (NAD+) and reduced (NADH) states to facilitate ATP production. It plays a central role in glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation, where it transfers electrons to complexes I and III of the electron transport chain, driving mitochondrial energy production.
Sirtuin Activation:
NAD+ is a required substrate for sirtuin enzymes (SIRT1--SIRT7), which regulate mitochondrial function, inflammation, and aging. By deacetylating histones and metabolic enzymes, sirtuins enhance DNA stability, insulin sensitivity, and oxidative stress resistance, improving metabolic efficiency and cellular longevity.
DNA Repair:
NAD+ facilitates poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzymes, which detect and repair single-strand DNA breaks. PARPs use NAD+ to create poly-ADP ribose chains, signaling and recruiting repair proteins like XRCC1 (X-ray repair cross-complementing protein 1) to restore DNA integrity and prevent genomic instability.
Circadian Rhythm Regulation:
NAD+ modulates circadian rhythms by influencing the CLOCK-BMAL1 transcriptional complex, which governs metabolic cycles. Sirtuins, particularly SIRT1, utilize NAD+ to regulate these genes, ensuring metabolic and enzymatic processes align with day-night cycles for optimal cellular function.
Consider Stacking With
- Methyl donors (SAMe, glycine, creatine)
- NMN, NR, or resveratrol
- TMG
- Amino acids
- B vitamins
- Quercetin
Side Effects & Cautions
Common Side Effects
- Injection site redness/itchiness/swelling
- Flushing
- Lightheadedness
- Fatigue/malaise
Cautions
- Some individuals may not respond well (methylation-related); monitor tolerance
Research & References
Research Highlights
Neuroprotection: NAD+ reduces neurodegeneration and supports cognitive function by reducing beta-amyloid accumulation. (Source: PMID 9512238)
Metabolic Regulation: Improved glucose metabolism and reduced insulin resistance in models of metabolic syndrome. (Source: PMID 7963035)
Heart Health: Enhanced mitochondrial function in cardiac tissue post-myocardial infarction. (Source: PMID 7973386)
Anti-Aging Potential: Restored youthful NAD+ levels in aged animal models, reversing age-related cellular decline. (Source: PMID 7775471)
DNA Repair: Upregulated PARP activity, facilitating efficient DNA repair mechanisms. (Source: PMID 10709141)
References
"NAD+ Metabolism in Cellular Function and Aging" (2021)
"NAD+ Supplementation and Metabolic Disorders" (2019)
"Neuroprotective Effects of NAD+ in Aging and Disease" (2020)
"Mitochondrial Function and NAD+" (2018)
"NAD+ and DNA Repair Mechanisms" (2000)